Police Probe Over Alleged Foreign Source of Robert Jenrick Leadership Donation

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police are examining claims that Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign received five separate warnings that £37,500 of a £100,000 donation originated from an overseas source. The allegation centers on a contribution made by British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann through his company Spott Fitness, with part of the money allegedly linked to U.S. businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who has a prior fraud conviction. The Electoral Commission referred the matter to police on 6 January 2026, and the investigation remains ongoing.

iNews

Under UK electoral law, political donations from foreign individuals or entities are prohibited. Ullmann’s donation was split into a £25,000 personal pledge and a further £37,500 purportedly supplied by Klopfenstein. Ullmann has asserted that he disclosed the potential U.S. involvement to Jenrick’s team on multiple occasions between April and July 2024, and again at the Conservative Party conference in autumn 2024. Jenrick maintains he learned of any Klopfenstein connection only after contact from the Electoral Commission.

iNews

• Jenrick has repeatedly denied any breach, describing the allegations as “entirely false.”

iNews

• A campaign spokesperson said the party checked the donor’s permissibility, that Jenrick “has never met, spoken to, or had any contact with Mr Klopfenstein,” and that the campaign complied with all electoral laws.

iNews

• The Electoral Commission confirmed it was investigating the donation, referred potential offences to police, and paused its own inquiry pending the police investigation.

iNews

• Ullmann’s spokesperson said Ullmann “voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission” when a U.S.–based third party raised concerns and has continued to cooperate with authorities.

iNews

A spokesperson for Jenrick’s campaign labeled the claims a “politically motivated smear,” suggesting the allegations aim to hinder Reform UK’s reform agenda. The police probe also adds pressure on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has faced heightened scrutiny over its finances.

iNews

• “These allegations are entirely false, but it is no surprise that an establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs would resort to making these demonstrably untrue claims.” — Robert Jenrick

iNews

• “There’s now been a suggestion that maybe part of his donation was from an overseas company. That’s being looked into.” — Robert Jenrick, LBC interview

iNews

• “Evidence of potential offences outside our remit was referred to the Metropolitan Police Service on 6 January, 2026.” — Electoral Commission spokesperson

iNews

• “A spokesperson for Ullmann told The i Paper: “Mr Ullmann voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission when it became apparent via a US-based third party that Robert Jenrick’s team had not presented the full picture at the time of these donations being made.” — Ullmann spokesperson

iNews